Coast Guard rescues boater off Oregon coast

Coast Guard rescues boater off Oregon coast

NORTH BEND, Ore. — The Coast Guard rescued an injured man aboard a sailboat off the coast of Gold Beach, early Tuesday morning.

A Coast Guard Sector North Bend MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew successfully hoisted the injured 69-year-old man and transferred him to awaiting emergency medical services at the North Bend Airport.

Sector North Bend watchstanders received the report of the injured man from Curry County 911 dispatch reporting that a sailing vessel with three people aboard took an unexpectedly large wave rendering one of the passengers unconscious.

Watchstanders directed the launch of a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from the seasonal Rogue River Search and Rescue detachment, as well as the helicopter crew.

While on scene the MLB crew was able to take the sail boat in tow and stabilize it enough for a helicopter hoist. The sailboat and remaining passengers were towed to port in Brookings.

"This case is just more evidence of the importance of our seasonal search and rescue detachments in Oregon," said Cmdr. Robert Workman of Sector North Bend. "During the busy summer months, our team members at the seasonal detachments are able to quickly arrive on scene in more remote locations to rescue those in need."

The patient was taken by EMS to the Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay, but was later transferred to the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland for further medical care.

Weather on scene at the time of the rescue was reported as 20 mph winds and 6-foot seas

-USCG-